Reborn from the ashes of a crumbling auto industry last year, Saab‘s latest concept is appropriately named PhoeniX.

The creation of Saab’s new design boss Jason Castriota, the PhoeniX is anything but beautiful. It is, however, an interesting look at what the Swedish automaker will bring to market in the near future. Perhaps the most exciting bit of news is a 200-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that is mated to a 34-hp hybrid system to drive the rear wheels as well. Under normal operation, the eXDW system powers the front wheels, but can deliver power to the rear when added grip is necessary. Both start-stop technology and regenerative braking are included in the drivetrain. With it, Saab claims a 50-mpg rating.

For the techies out there, another important feature is the Saab iQon telematics system that uses Google’s Android operating system to deliver navigation, music storage and smart-phone connectivity.

These technologies, as well as the design of the PhoeniX, will find their way into the next generation of Saab products. “This is not a promise or a flight of fancy,” said Castriota at the car’s unveiling in Geneva, “but where the future of Saab is going.”

GALLERY: Saab PhoeniX Concept Debut

GALLERY: Saab PhoeniX Concept

The long rumored Hyundai Sonata station wagon exists, and it bowed at the Geneva Auto Show, dubbed the Hyundai i40 Tourer, in keeping with the brand’s European nomenclature.

Although Hyundai PR bigwigs have denied that the i40 will come to America, we think that rising gas prices may provide an impetus for this kind of vehicle, rather than an SUV. The i40 Tourer was designed at Hyundai’s German R&D facility, and it shows in the high-quality interior, compact 1.7L diesel engine and distinct styling. While a choice of powertrains is available, Hyundai is pushing their 1.7L diesel hard, an engine that is much more aligned with European rather than North American tastes. Expect this car to do battle with the Euro-market Volkswagen Passat wagon when it goes on sale this year.

Gallery: Hyundai i40 Tourer

Debuting at the Geneva Auto Show in concept form, the Yaris HSD Hybrid will head into production next year as a 2013 model for Europe.

Based on the new Yaris (yet to debut in North America), the Yaris HSD Concept brings Toyota‘s legendary hybrid synergy drive powertrain to the B-segment, promising the lowest emissions for a sub-compact.

No details about the powertrain have been reveal, although it’s likely the Yaris Hybrid will use a smaller engine than the 1.8-liter currently found in the Prius and Auris hybrids.

Set to be manufactured in France, Toyota Motor Europe boss Didier Leroy extolled the virtues of hybrids for the European market at the Yaris HSD’s launch, pointing out that hybrids have a 25 percent lower maintenance cost that other gasoline or diesel powered cars. In addition, Toyota’s push for hybrids in Europe finally seems to be working, with Leroy commenting that those considering a hybrid car as their next vehicle has grown from 8 percent two years ago to 16 percent last year.

GALLERY: Toyota Yaris HSD Concept

On display at the Geneva Auto Show, Suzuki is hinting at a hot-hatch version of its new Swift model with the Swift S Concept. That standard car debuted back at the Paris show late last year and Suzuki is now ready to preview what will no doubt be the next in a long lineup of hot hatches dating back to 1968.

Sporting flared fenders and an overall width nearly two inches more than the standard Swift, this concept gets big 18-inch wheels with some seriously wide 225 tires. Upgraded brakes add to the performance, while inside the car gets some serious Recaro racing seats.

And it’s hard to ignore the wild aerodynamics with “Lightning Pearl Yellow” paint.

A pioneer of small cars, its strange that Suzuki has yet to bring the modern Swift to America, a particular shame considering the cult following this car would surely gain.

GALLERY: Suzuki Swift S Concept

On display for the very first time, Lexus chose the Geneva Auto Show carefully as the location to showcase the LFA Nurburgring edition, not shying away from a venue known for its exotic cars.

Coinciding with the reveal, Lexus has announced complete details on the Nurburgring Edition kit, with a large front splitter, cannards and a massive rear spoiler.

Output from the 4.8-liter V10 engine has been upped just 10-hp to 570-hp total, helping the carbon monocoque machine hit 62-mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 202-mph (slightly lower than the standard model due to the massive downforce generated by the rear spoiler).

Additional upgrades include quicker shift times, a returned suspension, a lowered suspension (10mm) and special wheels and tires.

The Nurburgring edition will be available in Matte Black, Black, White or Orange, and the interior can be had in Black and Red, Black and Pur­ple or all Black. Plus, all Nurburgring editions get added carbon  fiber interior bits, plus carbon racing seats.

GALLERY: Lexus LFA

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

When Toyota first debuted the FT-86 Concept it came as a shock. Toyota, a company known more for building reliable appliances than cars enthusiasts can stand behind, had done an about-face; and at just the right time.

With recall woes everywhere, Toyota had plenty of buyers, but few true fans, leaving no one to run to the rescue when things got ugly.

The FT-86 is a car designed to change all that and one that is posed to be the sort of automobile you’ll tell your kids you once owned. A true rear-drive sports car, Toyota has already touted its handling, thanks in part to a Subaru-sourced Boxer 4-cylinder that sits low in the chassis to deliver an impressive center of gravity.

No real details are yet available, but Toyota has said this more aggressive design (and here we thought they were going to get more subtle) is closer to what the production car will look like. Watch the video for more, browse through the gallery below and give us your thoughts. Is Toyota heading in the right direction with this new design? Or was the original FT-86 better?

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 II Concept

Rolls-Royce used to sell its cars with a tagline that bragged about the lack of cabin noise, with only the ticking of the in-cabin clock to be heard during your ride.

Now, that tagline is somewhat moot, as the all-electric 102EX, unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show, is for all intents and purposes silent thanks to its fully electric drivetrain. While Rolls insists this is a one-off vehicle intended for evaluation, they also stated that they recognize the necessity of exploring alternative powertrain solutions, and with its lack of noise, torquey power delivery and the lack of real driving distance required for their car means that an EV might be a nice fit for Rolls-Royce in the future.

GALLERY: Rolls-Royce 102EX

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Lamborghini has unveiled it’s sixth generation of V12-powered super machines at the Geneva Auto Show today. Replacing the Murcielago in Lambo’s lineup, the Avantador LP700-4 is, according to Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelman “a jump of two generations” due to it’s tremendous advancements in technology.

Rising from the level of an exotic to a true supercar, the LP makes 700-hp from a V12 engine, powering a machine built almost entirely of carbon fiber, while using a racecar-style pushrod suspension, the company’s impressive AWD system, as well as a compact and emotional ISR single-clutch gearbox.

The monstrously large machine is now 6-inches longer than the car it replaces while being just fractions of an inch less wide. Yet for all its amazing attributes, the carbon fiber monocoque chassis is perhaps the most astounding, allowing the Aventador to weigh just under 3,500 lbs in its dry weight form.

While the chassis is revolutionary, the design itself is somewhat evolutionary, a development of the fighter-jet looks we first saw with the Reventon. The Aventador takes cues from that car as well as from the Estoque sedan concept, and retains the scissor doors that Lambos have become famous for. Another stylistic item, that’s also very functional, is the exterior vents on the car that open and close depending on when (and how much) cooling is needed.

As mentioned, power comes from a 6.5-liter V12 engine, with a total of 700-hp on tap, as well as 509 lb-ft, and when combined with AWD propels the new Lambo flagship to 62-mph in a mere 2.9 seconds.

Part of that speed it also attributable to what Lambo calls its Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) transmission, which can swap gears in just 50 ms in a special Corsa mode, delivering a more impressive shift feel than a double-clutch unit while also weighing significantly less.

Inside it’s pure luxury with a new TFT-LCD screen for the dash instead of analog instruments. It even features what Lamborghini terms a “Drive Select Mode System” that allows the driver to adjust vehicle settings (including engine, transmission, differential, steering and stability control) to one of three pre-determined setups: Strada, Sport and Corsa.

With the first deliveries set to occur late this Summer, the Aventador has an understandably exotic price tag: $379,700.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

In Germany, the Volkswagen Microbus was affectionately known as the “Bulli”, proving that terms of endearment and the German language aren’t always compatible. While Volkswagen had a false start with their Microbus concept in 2001, the same idea is back 10 years later, and it manages to be even more contemporary while still providing Baby Boomers with a hefty shot of nostalgia.

With an 85 kilowatt motor capable of returning 300 kilometers per charge, the Bulli may not be suitable for following Phish across the U.S.A, but its zero emissions drivetrain will definitely resonate with eco-conscious citizens who smell like bong water. VW is said to be investigating more conventional engines as well.

The usual super-modern infotainment systems, including iPad integration, an audio system designed by guitar maker Fender. One throwback is the front bench seat, a feature not seen since the days when kids could afford to buy a new Volkswagen, one that came with an air-cooled engine at that.

Gallery: Volkswagen Bulli

With the Lotus Elise now offered exclusively in Europe with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder rather than the old 1.8-liter mill, it only makes sense that the limited edition Club Racer mode would follow suit.

Power is rated at 134-hp and 118 lb-ft, although an optional Club Racer Power Pack (off-road use only) ups those numbers to 140-hp and 122 lb-ft.

Weighing 1,931 lbs, those extreme track enthusiasts (who else would buy this car?) can drop that to just 1,876 lbs through a series of deleted parts.

Offered exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, the Elise CR can hit 60-mph in just 6.0 seconds, but it’s what else the car can do, performance wise, that really impresses thanks to goodies like Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs.

New for the 2011 Club Racer model is a DPM (Dynamic Performance Management) system with a Sport setting that limits interference by the stability control system. Designed to help less experienced drivers, Lotus also allows a full shut-off of the electronic nannies.

GALLERY: Lotus Elise Club Racer

While Volvo was apparently set to discontinue North American sales of all station wagons – arguably the vehicle they built their reputation on – in favor of crossovers. But that looks like it will change starting in 2012, with the launch of their V60 plug-in hybrid.

Unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show, the V60 Plug-In uses a 215 horsepower 2.4L diesel 5-cylinder engine to drive the front wheels, with a 70 horsepower electric motor powering the rear axle. Three power modes are available (one pure electric, one for hybrid driving and one for an extra boost, appropriately named “Power”). All-wheel-drive can also be engaged, with both motors driving all 4 wheels when traction is limited.

In electric mode, the V60 can go as far as 30 miles without using any diesel, and can be charged in as little as 3 hours. 60 mph comes up in only 7 seconds. We can’t imagine this car not coming Stateside. With Volvo exces previously commenting on their customers affinity for eco-friendly products – and the lack of such offerings in Volvo’s lineup – this one looks like a no-brainer.

Gallery: Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid

Lotus continues to push ahead with its motorsports programs, unveiling at the Geneva Auto Show the Evora Enduro Concept that will form the basis of the British sports car maker’s GT2 race cars.

Very much a test mule for those future cars, Lotus plans to develop this platform for competition by (what else?) using it in competition.

The Lotus Evora Enduro will participate in the Nurburgring 24 Hour race this year, as well as the Spa 24 Hour Race and Silverstone 24 Hour Race. Sadly, no dates are planned for the U.S., although Lotus has said it is considering both the Dubai and Daytona 24 Hour races in 2012.

Powered by a Cosworth-tuned version of the factory V6, the Evora Enduro displaces 4.0-liters and makes 440-hp. Weighing just under 2,600 lbs, the Evora Enduro should prove an competitive package.

GALLERY: Lotus Evora Enduro Debut in Geneva

GALLERY: Lotus Evora Enduro

Mazda took the wraps off its Minagi concept crossover at the Geneva Auto Show today, showing the world what the upcoming CX-5 soft-roader will probably look like when it comes to market in the next couple years.

Powered by an unspecified SKYACTIV powerplant and featuring styling cues taken from the gorgeous Shinari concept car, the Minagi should be a promising entry into the crossover segment – assuming it holds up in the transition from concept to production.

Gallery: Mazda Minagi Concept

Calling it “the fastest and most powerful car that Jaguar has ever built”, Global Band Director Adrian Hallmark extolled the powerful coupe’s virtues even further during its debut at the Geneva Auto Show today. “It is the most agile and most responsive, but” he paused, “it is still a GT.”

Designed to perform like a sports car, the XKR-S is still a luxury coupe and Jaguar promises owners will be able to enjoy both sides of the machine simultaneously.

Making 550-hp thanks to a retuned version of the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 in the XKR, Jag promises a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 186-mph.

Sporting a new aero package with plenty of vents and exposed carbon fiber bits, the XKR-S also boasts four big exhaust pipes. Add to that a retuned suspension and new light weight wheels.

As possibly the highest performance version of the XK to debut before it is replaced with an all-new car, you won’t be able to decided whether to drive it like you stole it, or park it in a museum.

GALLERY: Jaguar XKR-S

Debuting for the first time at the Geneva Auto Show, the Land Rover Range_e Range Rover is a plug-in hybrid concept based on the popular luxury SUV. Making use of both a hybrid powertrain and a 3.0-liter diesel V6, Land Rover Global Brand Director John Edwards has confirmed the Range_e will see production in the next two years.

Enabling a pure electric drive of up to 20 miles Edwards said the test mules have reached as much as 3.3 l/100 km – equivalent to 85-mpg – in testing. That number will be lower in U.S. gallons, and lower still on the more stringent U.S. EPA standards. Still, even anything close to 50-mpg would be more than double the current gasoline models.

GALLERY: Range_e Diesel Hybrid Range Rover Sport

One strange aspect about the Chevrolet Cruze hatchbackhas less cargo room than its sedan counterparty. While the Cruze sedan has 450 liters of cargo space, the hatchback has 50 fewer liters because of the model’s shorter rear overhang.

Nevertheless, 65 percent of vehicles sold in Europe are hatchbacks, and a Cruze hatch is a necessity to compete on the world stage. Unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show, the Cruze hatch has the same 1.6L and 1.8L gas engines and 2.0L turbodiesels as other world markets. If it makes it to North America, expect the familiar 1.4L Turbo and 1.8L 4-cylinder engines instead.

Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

While technically a concept, the Nissan ESFLOW appears to be a near-production look at what an electric sports car could be. From the company that brought us the Leaf (the world’s first mainstream production car), there’s little doubt that Nissan lacks either the know-how or drive to bring it to market soon.

Much smaller than a 370Z, it still resembles that car but with a progressive twist. A company known for building fun-to-drive cars, the ESFLOW promises to fulfill the needs of Nissan drivers with two electric motors powering the rear wheels. Lithium ion batteries are situated just ahead of the rear axle, mounted centrally and low for optimum weight distribution and a low center of gravity.

Nissan claims a 0-62 mph time of under 5.0 seconds wit a range of 150 miles.

Build from the ground-up as an electric vehicle, Nissan didn’t have to find compromises by adapting a chassis already in use for an internal combustion engine. With electric components being heavy, Nissan made considerable efforts to reduce weight, even going so far as to use composite materials for the body.

Inside, Nissan chose to mount the seats to the rear bulkhead of the car so as to do without a heavy roll cage. Then to make up for what would seem like an ergonomic drawback (fixed seats), both the steering and pedals are adjustable. Coated in stunning gold leather inside with plenty of carbon fiber as highlights, there are a total of 4-LCD screens used for the gauges and center console screen.

Nissan won’t say as much, but expect to hear more on the ESFLOW soon.

GALLERY: Nissan ESFLOW Concept Geneva Debut

GALLERY: Nissan ESFLOW Concept

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

If there’s one letter that represents Mitsubishi‘s new global small car concept, it’s not B, but ‘e’. While a B-Segment (or subcompact) car, Mitsubishi touts the vehicle’s “e-compact” characteristics, with the e standing for everything from efficiency, to engineering, to economies, to export, to electric.

The reason for those e-words is quite simple, with Mitsubishi engineering this new model to be flexible to all markets in the world, exporting it from a production facility in Thailand where it will make use of economies of scale as well as efficiencies in the production process to build this concept into a low cost, high value production model. And built it they will, with the Concept Global Small set to roll out in 2012.

Mitsubishi intends that the platform will be able to serve as a basic and cheap method of transportation in emerging markets, while doubling as a higher-content model for markets such as Japan, Europe and North America.

Measuring 12.2 feet long, the concept car has room for 5 and can be powered by either a 1.0-liter or 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine, using start-stop technology and brake energy regeneration. And being that this is a Mitsubishi, look for an electric version to follow.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi Concept Global Small

If you were one of the legions who lusted after an Alfa Romeo 8C but couldn’t afford the six-figure price tag – or get a spot on the waiting list – will have another shot at Milanese glory as Alfa debuted their 4C GTA concept.

Rather than a big Maserati V8, the 4C is powered by a turbochaged 4-cylinder engine displacing 1750cc, a legendary number in Alfa Romeo lore (all great Alfas of the 1960s were powered by an engine of identical displacement). Rather than the idiosyncratic dash-mounted manual shifter, power is transmitted via a dual-clutch gearbox to the rear wheels via a mid-engine configuration.

Alfa says they are considering production for the vehicle, but how could they not, in light of it being the perfect halo car for a return to North America?

Gallery: Alfa Romeo 4C GTA

Sharing the stage with the brand’s first ever hybrid, Porsche has unveiled the Panamera S Hybrid at the Geneva Auto Show. A long way from the 110 year old Semper Vivus machine that debuted in 1900, it speaks not as much to a long standing conern for the environment as it does to a history of engineering epertise.

Motivated by the same 333-hp 3.0L V6 engine and 47-hp electric motor combo as found in the Cayenne hybrid, the Panamera S Hybrid makes 380-hp and can achieve 41.54 mpg (Imperial and using the European test cycle). That should work out to slightly better than the 20/24-mpg rating of the Cayenne hybrid .That number is, however, achieved thanks to special low rolling resistance tires developed by Michelin and with standard tires the car is capable of 39.79 mpg.

Acceleration for this hybrid is brisk with the Panamera a few ticks quicker to 60-mph than its Cayenne hybrid cousin. Sporting an official 5.7 second 0-60 mph time it’s one fast hybrid.

Porsche’s two-mode hybrid system allows the Panamera S Hybrid to travel just over a mile on pure electric power and electric-only acceleration possible up to speeds of 50-mph. The drivetrain also switches off the engine at speeds of up to 103-mph when the driver lifts off the throttle to help deliver maximum fuel economy.

Standard equipment on the Panamera S Hybrid includes an adaptive air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)

The Panamera S Hybrid will go on sale later this year with a price of $95,000.

GALLERY: Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

Although official pictures have been out for some time, the Geneva Auto Show gave us our first live look at the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, BMW’s answer to the 2 door version of the BMW 3-Series.

With a range of engines spanning a 1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder making 201 horsepower, to a 3.5L V6 making 302 horsepower, with similar mechanicals to the rest of the Mercedes lineup. No word on whether the matte black paint will be available.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

Ever pushing the limits of performance and design, Ferrari has unveiled its new clown shoe shaped FF at the Geneva Auto Show today. An original creation for far more than just its design, the FF is a four-seater and includes the brand’s new 4RM all-wheel drive system.

Powered by a direct-injection 6.3-liter V12 engine with 651-hp and 504 ft lbs of torque, the FF can hit 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds. It’s also modestly efficient, getting roughly 15-mpg thanks to Ferrari’s HELE (High Emotion, Low Emissions) system that includes start-stop technology.

The 4RM system adds grip to the FF while still delivering a rear-wheel drive experience with power only being transmission to the front when required. Splitting torque individually to each of the four wheels, the FF takes AWD systems a step further and should prove incredibly capable.

GALLERY: Ferrari FF

If you’ve ever seen an original Mini (which may be unlikely if you live in North America) you might find it hard to wrap your head around just how small the car really is. The current MINI Cooper, while small by our standards, absolutely dwarfs the original car, but MINI’s new Rocketman concept should set things straight for the brand.

With a footprint that’s only slightly larger than the original Mini, the Rocketman also boasts a carbon fiber spaceframe to keep weight down, and a re-configurable interior to maximize passenger and cargo space. Unfortunately, MINI USA head Jim McDowell said that North America was unlikely to get any products that deviated from the current car’s size, so we’ll have to gaze at this one from afar – assuming it ever sees production.

Gallery: MINI Rocketman Concept

The next iteration of Toyota‘s FT-86 Concept, the aptly named FT-86 II, has finally been revealed, showcasing a more aggressive design than the original. A far cry from the mundane stylings of modern Toyotas, it is evident that the Japanese automaker is looking to turn a corner, not just in design, but in the driving enjoyment its vehicles offer.

No new details have been provided about the powertrain, which is slated to be a Subaru boxer engine, delivering weight low down for optimum handling.

Toyota is expected to debut the first production iteration of the FT-86 at the New York Auto Show under the Scion brand.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86 II Concept

Get the Flash Player to see this player.